Comparison
Ravelo vs Opal
Both block distracting apps on your iPhone. But they work from opposite assumptions. Opal starts from open — you create rules to temporarily close off apps. Ravelo runs entertainment like a bank balance — distracting apps are locked by default, and access is time you earn and spend.
The model that changes everything
Opal
Session-based
You create a rule or start a session. During it, the apps you chose are blocked. When it ends — or you skip it — everything is accessible again. Enforcement depends on you starting the session in the first place.
Ravelo
Default-blocked
Distracting apps are blocked all the time through iOS Screen Time. You unlock them only with Time Currency earned through productive app use or Focus Sessions. There is no session to start — the default state is already protected.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Ravelo | Opal |
|---|---|---|
Blocking model Opal blocks only during active rules; Ravelo keeps apps blocked until you earn access | Default-blocked (always on) | Session / rule-based |
Earning mechanic Ravelo lets you earn entertainment time through productive app use | Yes | No |
Off-phone Focus Sessions 15–120 min sessions add minutes to your balance for work done at a laptop or gym | Yes | No |
Hard blocking (no bypass) Both require paid plan; Ravelo's extends to Weekly Goals | Pro — Hardcore Mode | Pro — Harder Difficulty |
Weekly Goals enforcement | Pro — hard rule in HC Mode | No |
Allow Only mode | No | Pro |
Analytics | Productivity ROI, Focus Trend, Time Distribution | Opal Score (today only on Free; historical on Pro) |
Unlimited rules / sources | Pro — Unlimited Time Sources + blocking | Pro — Unlimited Rules |
Platforms | iPhone (currently) | iOS, Android, Mac |
Free tier | Full Time Currency system, limited sources | 1 Rule only |
Pricing (Pro) | $6.67 / month (annual · $80/yr) · $9.99 / month | $8.29 / month (annual · $99.99/yr) · $19.99 / month · $399 lifetime |
Which is more effective for ADHD?
Opal’s Harder Blocking Difficulty (Pro) prevents unblocking during an active session — which helps. But it still requires you to start the session before your impulse hits. For ADHD, that gap is the entire problem: the moment you want to check Instagram is exactly the moment you’re least likely to open an app to protect yourself from checking Instagram.
Ravelo’s model doesn’t have that gap. The block is already in place before you open your phone. Hardcore Mode removes every remaining override and makes Weekly Goals a hard enforcement rule — when you hit your weekly entertainment limit, blocked apps stay locked until the week resets. No rationalization path.
Ravelo also uses a positive-reinforcement mechanic that’s better matched to ADHD neurology: earning access through productive use creates the immediate, concrete reward loop that ADHD brains sustain long-term, rather than relying on restriction alone.
When Opal is the better choice
- —You need Android or Mac support right now — Ravelo is currently iPhone only
- —You want Allow Only mode to whitelist specific apps and block everything else
- —You prefer scheduling focused blocks rather than managing an earning balance
- —Your main issue is work-session discipline, not compulsive phone checking throughout the day
When Ravelo is the better choice
- You have ADHD or struggle to enforce limits yourself — Ravelo removes the decision entirely
- Your distraction happens throughout the day, not just during work sessions
- A significant part of your productive work happens off-phone — Ravelo's Focus Sessions still earn you credit
- You want positive reinforcement built into the system, not just restriction
- You need Hardcore Mode: a no-exceptions enforcement layer with weekly limits that lock hard
Note: Ravelo is iPhone-only. If you also need Mac or Android blocking, see how Ravelo compares to Freedom, which covers all platforms.